Principal Update

Smith ES Parents and Sponsors,

Today’s Field was a great success!  Thank you to the PTO and Mr. Jackson for planning this spectacular event and coordinating more than 75 volunteers from the following units, 16^th STB/569HRC, the 44^th ESB, Baumholder Medical Clinic, Wetzel School Age Care Center,     and the faculty, staff and teachers, of course thank you to the parents who joined us today for this exciting and fun annual event.  Please check out the Field Day Photo Gallery.

The last day of May is finally here, and we are now on the downward slide toward the end of School Year 2024/2025. The last day of school is an early dismissal at 1100 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.  We have one more week of school, and there is lots to be done.  Please make sure your students have turned in their library books.  Make sure to remember to pick up your student’s medication with Nurse Lasley or the medication will be disposed of after June 11. 2025.  If you are PCSing, make sure Mr. Woods has been notified so your records will be available prior to your departure.  Additionally, if you are returning to Smith ES and have not yet re-registered your student you will need to visit the ASPEN Family Portal to re-register prior to the last day of school.  All students not re-registered by June 11^th will be disenrolled and must complete the entire eligibility process before enrolling in the fall.  If you are a Space A or ETF family, please reach out to Mr. Woods to make a Space A or ETF request for SY2025/2026.

UPK/Preschool EOY Celebration activity from 0830-1030 on June 6, 2025.  UPK Parents are encouraged to join us for this special time.

UPK Enrollment/Registration – If you have a family in your unit asking questions about preschool registration, let them know they can register their new student online by accessing the DoDEA Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program page on the DoDEA website.  There is a link in the information to the registration page.  I will facilitate a special UPK Open Forum with introductory information in the Smith ES Cafeteria at 1430 on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Please help us spread the word about Preschool Enrollment.  If you have specific questions concerning enrollment, please reach out to Robert.Woods@dodea.edu.

If you did not purchase a yearbook and would like to purchase one, please reach out to Ms. Renee.Stotz@dodea.edu.  She has a limited amount for families new to Smith ES.

Congratulations to our New PTO Board for SY25/26 President-Keila Benitez, Vice President-Serena Castellanos, Treasurer-Geri Walker; Secretary-Ingrid Carmona, Faculty Advisor-Ms. Linda Yates, Publicist-Melani George, Volunteer Coordinator-Sydney Blizzard-Bailey. 

The School Advisory Committee will continue to take nominations through the summer and the start of SY2025/2026.  Our next SAC meeting will be on Monday, October 1, 2025.  During the meeting we will be nominating leadership positions for SY 25/26, conduct annual training.  If you or someone you know are interested in serving as President, Vice President, or Secretary on the School Advisory Committee, please email sacsmithes@gmail.com to make a nomination.  

USAJOBS - Job Announcement Substitutes are Needed NOW for SY25/26.  The job of a substitute is to stand in the place of the classroom teacher executing the daily instructional plans, to maintain good order and discipline in the classroom.  Smith ES is also in need of new Substitutes who are Nurse Certified.  If you, or someone you know are interested in working as a substitute teacher/nurse at Smith ES, please log into USAJobs.gov and apply today.  USAJOBS - Job Announcement  We generally pull applications and interview candidates at the first of each month.  The process can take a while to complete a background check so apply early to be ready to begin when school starts in August 2025.

Go Bulldogs!

Richard Dye

Principal, Smith ES